WHEN PUBLIC TRUST IS BROKEN - THE UNDERHANDED TACTICS OF GOVERNMENT

WHEN PUBLIC TRUST IS BROKEN

THE UNDERHANDED TACTICS OF GOVERNMENT

Stes de Necker

The ANC Government has made so many mistakes, the public trust is broken.

The trust has gotten so small that it crumbled under the weight of corrupt politicians. They have proven themselves to be untrustworthy, repeatedly, by taking actions that put the interest of the ruling elite ahead of doing what is right for the people of this country.

In an article I wrote earlier I said that the South Africa’s Government has become a government of liars. Deceit has become as natural to these politicians as breathing.

And unfortunately, what we have witnessed through the process of replacing the capable seasoned politician and Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene with a a former MK operative and Mayor of a small town in Gauteng of around 197 000 people called Merofeng, has added one more seed to the growing mistrust.

The statement which announced Nene’s sacking was so lacking in detail, so insulting, that it is impossible to put any kind of spin on it. Nene was fired for the simple reason that he went against the wishes of Zuma. And as the rand weakens again to the world, we are all going to pay the price for it.

Van Rooyen became known when the community became outraged by the government's plan to demarcate their area as part of the North West province, instead of Gauteng. He was forced to resign as Mayor in 2009 and since his resignation Morofeng’s financial status had never recovered.  
   

Since there is no more transparency, decisions taken by President Zuma during chaotic crises’ are most assuredly destructive of liberty and sovereignty, one can easily and generally tell the motive and morality of the individuals vying for its decision.

This rush decision of Zuma without giving any sufficient reasons whatsoever, is a blatantly sleazy, backhanded way of avoiding any exposure of the truth.

Welcome to the country where finance ministers are fired because they don’t let the President’s friends do what they want with state assets.

South Africa cannot and should not trust those who have proven themselves untrustworthy.  Instead of feeling an obligation to serve the public, most of the ANC representatives are acting in a manner that demonstrates how little respect they have for the citizens of this country, their opinions, and for meeting the needs of our country.

What we have here is a pattern of deception. South Africa is falling apart but the Government continues telling the world all is fine. Anything that is not the truth is a lie. A half-truth is a full lie. 

That is deception. That is how most South African politicians operate. There is no “no-spin zone” anymore.

The South African Government stinks. Rolling in manure will not make them smell better…it only makes the smell unnoticeable to the others who also roll in it.  Soon everyone rolls in it and no one notices the smell.

And then of course the timing of his decision is also interesting. Parliament will soon go into recess for the Christmas holidays which means there is very little time left this year for protracted debate on this matter. Come February, most of the ‘sting’ would have been taken out of the bite.

The timing of this decision is simply put, catastrophic for South Africa. The rand touched record lows to the dollar this week. This action will make that happen again. We were downgraded last week and are now flirting with ‘junk’ status among the rating agencies. And there is no official explanation as to why Nene was fired

The point here is to note the pattern. Take the decision but don't expose the reason. Don’t talk about the details, just take the decision. Pretend to hear a few suggestions but make sure there is no debate. Do NOT let the dissenting view or alternative options get on the stage.

What was once governed by the political representatives is now under the control of those who control the ANC and the Government. The public trust is broken.

If South Africans allow this underhanded shenanigans of Zuma and the ANC Government, they should assume the consequences which were intended by this decision.

The truth is harsh. It sounds mean, hateful, and intolerant. But the way one swallows the medicine does not determine whether or not the medicine is effective.